COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - University of Missouri athletic officials are planning multimillion-dollar renovations to the university’s 10-year-old basketball arena.
Athletic Director Mike Alden spoke about the project in a gathering with reporters earlier but it was officially announced Thursday, the Columbia Daily Tribune reported (http://bit.ly/1uidmEV ).
Planned updates include the team lounge, locker room, weight room and academic area. The project was started by a $1.5 million private gift to go toward a new video board.
“Mizzou Arena is entering its 10th season and is tremendous facility for our basketball programs, but we need to enhance the areas that impact the fan experience, student athlete well-being and assist in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes,” Alden said in a statement.
Deputy Athletic Director Doug Gillin was credited with helping secure the donation. He said in a statement that officials will soon begin asking for donations over the next three years for the project.
“We have a great deal of work to do, but we are committed, as are our fans, to provide Coach “Kim” Anderson with valuable recruiting tools to attract the most gifted student-athletes to campus and equip them for success in the classroom, in the community and on the court,” Gillin said.
The hallway that leads to the team locker room already received a new paint job over the summer and new lighted signs were installed outside of the arena last spring.
The men’s basketball coach said the renovation project will be phased in as funds are raised.
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